Wadajir and Yaqshid Teams Compete in Semis for Football for Peace Tournament

Teenage boys representing Wadajir and Yaqshid districts in the war-devastated Banaadir region have confirmed to compete in the semifinals for district level football for peace tournament.

In the first match on Saturday, Yaqshid district team defeated Waberi district rivals by 3-1 in the hotly-contested match whose first half ended in 1-1 draw.

Striker Abdishakur Mohamed Osman has scored the first goal for his Yaqshid district team in the 3rd minute of the first half, but Waberi district’s Omar Hassan Abdulle has scored in the 30th minute of the match.

However the hopes of Waberi district died down after Mohamed Osman who wears number 10 and Abdi Sidow Hussein scored the 2nd and 3rd goals for their Yaqshid team in the 53rd and 79th minutes of the second half of the match which finally ended in 3-1 in favor of Yaqshid district team.

In the second match on Saturday Wadajir district team defeated Howl-wadaag district team by 3-1. Wadajir boys were leading the match from start to end after they scored their opening goal in the 10th minute of the first half.

Young striker Osman Ali Hassan scored two goals for his team in the 10th and 53rd minutes of the match, while the other goal was scored by Feysal Mohamed Sheik in the 46th minute.

“My boys are very strong and I am very hopeful to win the trophy,” Yaqshid district commissioner Mohyaddin Hassan Jurus told the media after his team won Saturday’s match against Waberi district.

Somali Football Federation has recognized Mr. Jurus as the most football-loving commissioner in the tournament so far.

Sunday will be a rest day according to the schedules of the tournament. On Monday, the Hodon district team will play against Dharkeynley district, while Wadajir and Yaqshid districts will encounter on Wednesday. The final match will be held on Friday.

Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar is the NewsBlaze Somalia reporter, an experienced journalist. Shafi’i writes news stories, features and sends photos relevant to the current situation in Somalia.Shafi’i is also an international sports journalist and member of the international sports press association AIPS.He is a long-time sports journalist and reported from many international competitions including the Olympic Games.The photo shows Shafi’i at London 2012 Olympic Park.